Bugging out after an EMP? Here are 7 must-have items

As any good prepper already knows, the effects of an EMP would be absolutely devastating. An EMP is capable of wiping out the entire electric grid in the blink of an eye and would send the entire country into darkness. This is exactly why you should focus on acquiring items for your bugout bag that won’t be affected by an EMP and that you can still use even when the power goes out. These are items that are all relatively simple to get your hands on, but could mean the difference between life and death in a real-life crisis situation.

The following list was compiled by AskAPrepper.comin an article published earlier this month titled “7 EMP Proof Items for Your Bugout Bag.”

1) Hand Pump Water Filter

Sawyer filters and LifeStraws may be very convenient (especially in a survival situation), but it’s also a good idea to get your hands on a powerful hand pump water filter so that you can have quick access to clean water for drinking and cooking. Due to the fact that these filters operate on a pump mechanism, they don’t require any electricity and won’t be affected by an EMP.

If the grid goes down, you won’t be able to simply pull out your cell phone and check Google Maps to help you navigate. Having an actual map in your bugout bag will ensure that you always know where you are and what direction you’re heading.

4) Lighter

If you have a lighter in your bugout bag, then you’ll be able to make a fire and use it for cooking and for warmth. It’s still a good idea to know how to make a fire in other ways so that you’re not completely reliant on a lighter, but even still, it’s good to have in case the grid ever goes down from an EMP.

5) Backpacking Stove

If you are having trouble getting a fire going, you can always do your cooking on a backpacking stove, an inexpensive and highly effective kit that you should definitely consider packing in your bugout bag. Backpacking stoves will not be affected by an EMP, either, making them ideal for SHTF scenarios.

6) Survival Knife

In a real-life survival situation, a knife will be your best friend. As long as you purchase a durable one, you should have no problem doing everything from building a shelter to butchering meat, all with this one tool. Of course, a survival knife is also a great self-defense weapon, and can potentially be attached to a long stick or a pole to make a deadly spear. Be sure to include a survival knife in your bugout bag – it’ll come in handy more often than you think.

7) Optics

Optics make it so that you can see what your normal eyes cannot, and because they don’t run on electricity, you don’t have to worry about them becoming unusable after an EMP. Whether its seeing across a great distance, seeing through the darkness, or spotting potential threats before they spot you, optics are a must-have for everyone that is serious about prepping.